Hi everyone. Dan Spears here at Minges Coliseum on the campus of ECU for the Pender-Goldsboro boys game. The winner gets a spot in next Saturday’s state championship, at 2:30 p.m. at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill.

Goldsboro has the crowd advantage, but it’s pretty sparse altogether — maybe 750 people right now? 11 a.m. is not a nice time for basketball.

I’ll be updating throughout the game, so check back for updates and feel free to leave your comments.

FINAL — Goldsboro made 13 in a row at the line in the final 2 minutes, and 17 of 22 in the fourth quarter, to pull away in a game way closer than the score indicates. GOLDSBORO 58-48.

51.6 SECONDS FOURTH QUARTER — Goldsboro found its touch at the line just in time, making its last seven from there. Pender’s gonna need a miracle at the moment, but I’ve seen crazier things. Tough fourth quarter. Pender’s guards struggled a little and RaSean Brewington hit a couple of big shots for Goldsboro. GOLDSBORO 52-46

2:10 FOURTH QUARTER — Spruill has fouled out. Goldsboro has been bad from the FT line, however. That might be Pender’s best chance right now. GOLDSBORO 46-42

4:41 FOURTH QUARTER — Goldsboro’s 8-0 run to start the quarter is responded by three Pender FTs, but Trey Hansley misses the front end of a 1-and-1 to tie the game. Then a turnover, Pittman “loses the ball out of bounds.” Oy. GOLDSBORO 42-40

6:15 FOURTH QUARTER — Abysmally bad call for Spruill’s 4th on a charge. Abysmal. That ref should be sent out. Immediately. As it is, 3 straight turnovers for the Patriots. And a rainbow 3 by the Cougars. Another flop by Goldsboro is called a charge. Gary Battle has his work cut out for him tonight. It’s become 9-on-5, with the Goldsboro crowd finally into it, too. Time out GOLDSBORO 40-37.

END THIRD QUARTER– Pender starting to get out in transition and assert itself inside. If Spruill can avoid that fourth foul (he couldn’t Thursdday), Pender’s gotta have the advantage. PENDER 37-34

1;50 THIRD QUARTER–Pender’s length on defense is starting to pay dividends. Goldsboro’s drives to the basket are met with strength and authority, and Pender has gotten out in transition as a result. It’s a 9-2 run for the Patriots. PENDER 35-32

4:11 THIRD QUARTER — Battle should be giving it to his own guys after those possessions. Pender trying to avoid contact on its drives instead of taking it strong. A couple of wild shots. GOLDSBORO 29-26

5:24 THIRD QUARTER — Paxton Lee fouled on the drive, no call. Paxton Lee draws the block, no free throws. Goldsboro knocks the ball out of bounds, Goldsboro ball. How Gary Battle is restraining himself, I have no idea. I’d have been T’d up by now. GOLDSBORO 29-25.

Keys to the 2nd half — Pender doesn’t turn the ball over, it wins, I think. Pure and simple. They are bigger inside, and Goldsboro’s guards aren’t taking the best shots in the world. Be patient, get the ball inside to Pittman, who is scoring at will when he fights for position on the block, and keep rebounding.

HALFTIME–Pender twice cut it back to 2, but Rodrick Ballard took a crowd-induced 3-pointer that missed and Goldsboro had a 2-on-none break for a layup just before the buzzer. I’m not sure who Pender coach Gary Battle is more upset with — Ballard, who had a subpar first half, or the officials. He gave all of them a good talking-to on his way to the locker room. GOLDSBORO 27-23.

2:09 2ND QUARTER — Goldsboro got a little spurt, but Addison Spruill just made the best block I’ve ever seen in a high school game to swat away the dunk. Amazing. Pender’s shots from outside 3 feet are way off, but they have a size advantage. GOLDSBORO 23-19

END OF 1 — Pender playing a little reckless. The Panthers can’t control Keynan Pittman, but he’s only 3-for-6 on free throws. Goldsboro has had a couple of lucky bounces go its way, and coach Gary Battle is having a staredown with the officials as much as his own team. GOLDSBORO 15-7.

3:49 1ST QUARTER — Not only is the officiating tight, it’s incorrect. Addison Spruill is given a second foul when it was clearly on Rodrick Ballard. Gary Battle has already waved his towel at the men and woman in gray a couple times. GOLDSBORO 6-5, with Keynan Pittman going to the line for 2.

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